What effect does the hormone leptin have on the body?

Leptin is a hormone produced primarily by adipose (fat) tissue and plays a critical role in regulating energy balance in the body. It functions as a signaling molecule that communicates with the hypothalamus in the brain, informing it about the body’s fat stores. When fat stores increase, leptin levels rise, which has the effect of inhibiting hunger and promoting energy expenditure. This feedback mechanism helps maintain body weight by regulating appetite and energy use.

By enhancing the feeling of satiety, leptin helps to decrease food intake and thereby supports weight management. When leptin levels are low, such as in states of fasting or weight loss, hunger is stimulated to help restore energy balance. Thus, its primary action is to inhibit hunger and promote the burning of energy rather than storage, making the correct answer focused on its regulatory role in energy balance and appetite control.